The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is designed to provide young Officer Cadets from all three Services (Navy, Army, Air Force) with the finest tertiary education in Australia.

ADFA is a College of the University of New South Wales and officers graduate with a University of New South Wales degree. ADFA offers degrees in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Aeronautical), Science, Arts, Business and Technology.

Engineering students will undertake a four-year degree (with the possibility of undertaking an honours year at the end of this time for some students).

The following details Air Force degree requirements by Specialisation:

• Aeronautical Engineer: BE(Aero or Mech);
• Electronics Engineer: BE (Elec);
• Armament Engineer: BE (Mech, Aero, Elec);
• Airfield Engineer: BE (Civil, Mech);
• Pilot: BSc, BA, BTech(Aero), BTech(Avn), BBus;
• Logistics Officer: BBus, BA(Econ);
• Administration Officer: BBus, BA(Econ);
• Intelligence Offficer: BA, BSc, BTech(Aero), BBus;
• Air Combat Officer: BA, BSc, BBus; and
• Air Traffic Control: BA, BSc, BBus.

It is the Academy's philosophy to provide cadets with every possible resource and opportunity to help them do their best, which in turn helps the Academy and its graduates live up to the maxim "To lead. To Excel".

You are paid to study at ADFA and receive a textbook allowance, free medical and dental treatment, free uniforms and Higher Education Contribution Scheme payments are met by the ADF. In addition, you are guaranteed a job as an Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force when you graduate. While you are studying, you will enjoy one of the best student/teacher ratios in the country and have access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities on campus dedicated to giving you the best academic and military qualifications possible.

But academic pursuits are just a part of being a student at ADFA. There's also the military studies, fitness training, leadership and management skills you'll develop.

The first academic year essentially consists of the following components:

1 week Orientation;

4 weeks Academy Military Education and Training (AMET);

1 week Chief of the Defence Force Parade;

16 weeks Session 1 academic studies (This period includes a 2 week recess of career development and field trips which can be either academic or military in nature);

2 weeks mid-year examinations, followed by two weeks Single Service Training (SST) at HMAS Creswell (Navy), Royal Military College, Duntroon (Army) or RAAF Williams, Point Cook (RAAF);

14 weeks Session 2 academic studies (This period includes a 1 week study recess);

2 weeks study and end of year examinations;

3 weeks SST at respective Single Service Colleges;

1 week - Graduation; and

5 weeks end of year leave.

Breaks during the year provide scope for academic field trips, military tours, excursions and adventurous training. Military training is also provided in Defence Studies, which include Current Affairs, Military History, Physical and Recreational Training. You will also take your place in Drill and Ceremonial Parades throughout the year.

Note: During 2nd and 3rd year, Single Service Training normally takes place at the beginning and end of each academic year and includes, for example, Ground Defence Training, Management and Operations theory and practice, Navigation and Single Service Drill and Ceremonial. It may also include Specialist Courses, visits to Military Units and opportunities for Service Attachments or Engineering Work Experience.

The Royal Australian Air Force has a huge job to do including keeping the nation's air defence capabilities operational, providing a search and rescue function and assisting in times of national emergency. If you are already a degree qualified professional, and looking for a job that offers satisfaction, excitement and a challenge and the opportunity to utilise and further develop your management and leadership skills, then you may wish to consider a career as an Officer (Graduate Only) in the Air Force.

Degree qualified officers normally start their careers at one rank higher than non-graduate officers.

The Air Force sponsors suitable applicants to undertake tertiary studies at a civilian university in an Australian State or Territory from the first semester of their first year of study.

Successful applicants are usually appointed to the rank of Officer Cadet and paid at that rank while studying full-time, with increments granted on successful completion of each year of study.  However, the granting of a higher rank will be dependent upon the degree course studied and the year of study on entry.

Undergraduates are members of the Permanent Air Force and as such, all normal entitlements are available to you including access to married quarters, removal benefits and Rental Allowance, under the same guidelines which apply to all Air Force members.

You are entitled to free medical and dental treatment as well as hospitalisation if ever required.

You will be issued free uniforms, clothing and accessories at the scale applicable to officers performing part-time duty. Upon graduation and commencement of full-time duty, you will receive additional issues to outfit yourself to the normal scale of issue. Undergraduates are not entitled to free exchanges of uniforms.

The Air Force will authorise payment of all compulsory fees for the year in which sponsorship commences and continuing for the duration of the approved course of study.

A student receiving benefits from the Australian Government as a full-time student will have these benefits withdrawn from the date Air Force sponsorship begins. Books and equipment already provided may be retained.

Subject to approval, you will also be reimbursed the costs of prescribed textbooks essential to your course of study.

The Air Force will also pay tertiary institution fees and Student Contribution Charges for as long as the student remains in the Service.  An obligation to serve in the Air Force for a period of one year for each year of sponsorship, plus one additional year, is required before sponsorship is finally approved.  This means that a three-year degree sponsorship will attract a four-year return of service obligation on completion of degree studies.

Note: Sponsorship is not available to applicants who are already in receipt of sponsorship via schemes such as the rural and medical bonded positions.

Full-Fee Paying Students

The Air Force will accept applications from full-fee paying students for undergraduate sponsorship. Full-fee paying university students will be reimbursed the equivalent amount of HECs for that degree stream. The refund will be the highest amount specified in the government-approved, student contribution range for each degree stream as displayed at www.goingtouni.gov.au.

Failure during Degree Studies

If you fail an examination and are unable to progress to the next academic year or graduate, your appointment may be terminated (recovery of costs including fees, salary and books would usually be initiated in these cases). Approval may be given for the student to repeat the year at Air Force expense, provided that the failure was not due to a lack of application on the part of the student.

Leave

Undergraduates may be granted trainee leave during semester breaks. For the remainder of the year they must be involved in formal academic studies or be employed on such duties and courses as determined by RAAF College.